Compiled by Mariel Carlson (she/her/hers), Graduate Assistant and Ariana King (she/her/hers), Graduate Assistant

We just completed week 8 of this session! The upcoming deadline of March 25 is the final date for committees in the Minnesota Legislature to act favorably on policy bills in the house of origin. If they do not, bills will not move forward in this session unless there is a special rule. In the House, more than 1,775 bills have been introduced, and the Senate has had 1,554 bills introduced!

Please follow CASCW’s curated bill tracking account on the Minnesota State Legislature website to keep tabs on what’s happening specifically related to child welfare. You can also find information on House and Senate hearings (all streamed virtually).

Bills of Interest

Mental Health Cultural Community Continuing Education Grant Program Changes

HF4113 Rep. Vang (DFL)

The Mental Health Cultural Community Continuing Education Grant Program was founded in 2021. It funds continuing education costs for mental health professionals from underrepresented communities, notably communities of color. The bill expands grant funding to cover supervision costs for mental health professionals, including social workers, pursuing licensure.

The bill was introduced and referred to committee on 3/7/2022. It was heard in the Health Finance and Policy Committee and laidover for inclusion in the Committee bill.

Dismissal of Students in Kindergarten through Grade 3 Prohibited

HF951 / SF1048 [Rep. Richardson (DFL) and Sen. Torres Ray (DFL)]

This bill prohibits suspension of students K-3 unless non exclusionary discipline measures have been exhausted or there is a serious, ongoing safety threat to the child or others.

The bill was introduced in the House and Senate in February 2021 and referred to the Education Policy Committee. It was heard in committee on 03/18/2022. According to written testimony, numerous organizations have given their support to the bill, including The Arc, NASW-MN, Children’s Defense Fund Minnesota, and Minnesota Association for Children’s Mental Health.

The last movement in the Senate bill was the addition of Rep. Issacson (DFL) as an author on 1/31/2022. 

Office of the Foster Youth Ombudsperson

HF3845 Rep. Hanson (DFL)

This bill establishes the Office and Board of the Foster Youth Ombudsperson and specifies data provisions for the office. An ombudsperson is assigned to investigate complaints and make conclusions and recommendations to the legislature and governor regarding actions of administrative agencies if a complaint is deemed valid.

The bill was introduced and referred to the State Government Finance and Elections Committee on 2/28/2022. Rep Fischer (DFL) was added on 3/7/2022. Bill HF3845 was heard in committee on 3/18/22 and will be heard in the Human Services Finance and Policy Committee on 3/22/22 at 10:30am.

Homeless Youth Act

HF3377 / SF3155 [Rep. Keeler (DFL) and Sen. Dibble (DFL)]

This bill establishes a grant program to help youth stay with family, friends, relatives, and neighbors to avoid homelessness. It provides $8,000,000 for the 2023 fiscal year.

The bill was introduced and referred to committee on 02/14/22 and then to the Preventing Homelessness Division on 2/25/22. On 3/09 it was heard in the Division and passed a 7-4 vote to be amended and referred to the Human Services Finance and Policy Committee.

In the Senate, Rep. Pappas (DFL) was added as an author on 2/24/2022. On 3/10 it was heard in the Human Services Reform Finance and Policy Committee, testimony was given by organizations including Youth 180 Degrees and the Bridge for Youth, and the bill was laid over.

Universal, Voluntary Home Visiting Program for Families with Infants Established

SF3766 [Rep. Morrison (DFL) and Sen. Wiklund (DFL)]

This bill creates a universal, voluntary home visiting program for families expecting or caring for an infant, including families adopting one. If requested by a family, the program would provide in-home visits from doulas, community health workers, perinatal health educators, early childhood family education home visiting providers, and/or local public health nurses. The hope is for the program to be available statewide by June 30, 2025. $110 million was appropriated for the 2023 fiscal year with ongoing funding.

The bill was introduced in the House and referred to the Early Childhood Finance and Policy Committee on 3/3/2022. On 3/8 it was adopted as amended and re-referred to the Health Finance and Policy Committee, where it was heard on 3/16.

The Senate companion was introduced and referred to the Health and Human Services Finance and Policy Committee on 3/7/2022.

Child Abuse Hotline Number Display and Communication in Schools Provided

HF2131 / SF1874 [Rep. Berg (DFL) and Sen. Coleman (R)]

This bill calls for displaying or communicating child abuse hotline numbers in schools.

This bill was introduced in the House in March 2021 and referred to the Education Policy Committee. Authors were added in February 2022 and it was heard in committee on 2/9/2022 and laid over for possible inclusion in the Committee omnibus bill.

The companion bill in the Senate was introduced and referred to the Education Finance and Policy Committee on 3/8/2022.

Brief Updates

  • HF3211 – This bill establishes a Supplemental Security Income Benefit trust for foster children. It was heard in committee on 3/15, testimony was given by Foster Advocates, it was adopted as amended, and laid over for possible inclusion in the omnibus bill. It was heard by the State Government Finance & Elections Committee on 3/18. 
  • HF3135 / SF3947 – This bill establishes a State Board of Appellate Counsel for Parents to provide representation to eligible parents in appeals in juvenile protection matters. It was heard in committee on 3/15.

    The Senate companion bill was introduced and referred to committee on 3/14/2022.

Important Timelines to keep in mind

  • Friday, March 25 – Committees must act favorably on bills in the house of origin
  • Friday, April 1 – Committees must act favorably on bills, or companions of bills, that met the first deadline in the other body
  • Friday, April 8 – Committees must act favorably on major appropriation and finance bills
  • April 9-18 – Legislative Break
  • Monday, May 23 – Last day of session

Upcoming Events

  • April 4-8: NASW Online Social Work Advocacy Week (Free!)

    The week kicks off on Monday 4/4 with an online rally and MN Capitol update, followed by an Advocacy 101 training, which will provide you with the opportunity to learn strategies for impactful advocacy and how to participate in policy work. Tuesday 4/5 and Wednesday 4/6 will each feature two one-hour sessions on current events and legislative priorities.
    Register for NASW’s Online Social Work Advocacy Event.

Stay tuned for more legislative updates as we gather information and track what’s happening at the Capitol.